Digital Camera Modes Explained

All Modes on your Camera

Hey, today we are going to focus on the different modes your DSLR has. We are going to talk about the best camera mode to get started with everything. I am going to describe everything on an Eos rebel t6 so the row of modes might be different Anyway I hope you will enjoy getting all digital camera modes explained to you.

Let’s get started 🙂

If you don’t know what aperture shutter speed or Iso is you should read this first.

Video mode.

Night portrait mode.

Food mode.

Sports mode.

Macro mode.

Landscape mode.

Portrait mode.

Creative auto mode

No flash mode

A+ (Auto mode with “intelligence”)

P

Tv

Av

M

1.-10. These modes explain them self very good. You can use them, just the way they are supposed to and if you just bought your camera and want good pictures, while observing the settings that the camera will automatically choose to make, for example, a portrait (you can see the settings only in the viewfinder). In my opinion, it is way more exciting, than to read a long ass post about camera settings. 😛

P

P Stands for program. That means that the camera is going to set shutter speed and aperture for you. The only thing you need to worry about is Iso and your exposure compensation. You can also see the chosen settings on the display.

When is it smart to use:

It is awesome to use when you just started photographing to learn what the camera would do.

Tv

Frozen Motion

S or Tv stands for Shutter Priority or Time value. That means that you can control the exposure with shutter speed by turning the wheel and the camera will select the appropriate aperture for you. Now you can select the shutter speed, Iso, and your exposure compensation.

When is it smart to use:

I used it as the second step when I got bored with P to have more control or to freeze motion for example but still wanted to have a good result quickly.

Av

A really nice bokeh

A or Av stands for Aperture Priority or Aperture value. It means that you now have full control over your aperture and the camera is setting shutter speed for you. Now you have to control aperture, Iso and exposure compensation.

When is it smart to use:

I used it like the tv mode just to understand the aperture better and get a really nice bokeh.

M

M stands for Manual mode. Now you can control everything the way you want. And you will have to control aperture, shutter speed, Iso and exposure compensation.

When is it smart to use:

After you know what aperture does, shutter speed and you got a feeling for what value you have to use in what situation, you definitely want to use the manual mode on your DSLR. It gives you the most options to make your picture look the exact way you want it.

That’s already it with my post Digital Camera Modes Explained. I tried to keep it as brief as possible, so you don’t get overwhelmed with information. If you have any kind of question or any opinion let me know in the comments and I will get back to you as fast as I can. 🙂

8 thoughts on “Digital Camera Modes Explained”

I have been wanting to learn photography and your information on the various camera modes is definitely very helpful! Your picture illustrations also amazed me how beautiful photographs can be taken by understanding the various modes of a camera. What is a good camera for a beginner in your opinion?

Hi Leo I am glad that you liked it and I was able to help you a little bit 🙂 A good Camera to started with is the Eos Rebel T6 you can find it here on my site in the reviews category with the links to the cheapest place to buy it. It is the cheapest (399$) Canon dslr but it has more than enough quality to get started plus it is probably the easiest to understand and use dslr. 🙂

Very nice..Aaron. A lot of information on this site. I think you explain yourself well. I know I learned something. So thanks! The pictures you have taking came out crystal clear for their settings.
My question to you is. Does all the settings have the same pitchers on them? Are most cameras the same?

Hey Mike I am glad you like my content. 🙂 How do you mean? If for example the portrait mode on a Nikon or Sony looks like the one on a canon? If this is your question the pictures usually look simular and if not you can look them up in your camera manual but, AV and TV on a Nikon is usually A and S.
I hope I understood your question right. If not ask me again, please😊

I am interested in learning about photography. I have seen some similar photos like yours and I realy thought those were Photoshop (or some other photo improvement sofware). But I don’t see all the modes you are mentioning on my camera (COOLPIX L810). Is this the right camera for a beginner?

Hey Dira you canâ€™t find them because you donâ€™t have them 🙂 you have a compact camera (see at the what camera? tab). If it is a good camera to start with? yes, it is if you just want to point and shoot it is more than enough 🙂 I just wouldnâ€™t recommend it because it doesnâ€™t have P M av and tv.

Hey Nick If I would be you I would use the Eos rebel T6 I have a review on my site but only if you are planning to only take pictures and not videos. And no somehow it got past my attention but I just checked it out and it is mind blowing I got to add this to my last post. Thanks a lot 🙂 I hope I was able to help you since you helped me 😀